Chemistry - The violation of a certain rule or principle in the following electronic configuration

If we talk only about electronic configurations and rules violation then you are correct. The 2nd one (excited state) is referred for hybridization that is sp2. An excited state configuration is meant only when the particular atom gets ready or excited for forming a bond. Like boron does it with 3 fluorine atoms to form $\ce{BF3}$. So, if we talk about electronic config and rule violations we must go for ground states exceptional cases are $\ce{Cu}$ , $\ce{Cr}$ and $\ce{Mo}$.